Top MILF leader makes historic visit to Camp Aguinaldo

Top MILF leader makes historic visit to Camp Aguinaldo. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/FRANCES MANGOSING

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim made a historic visit to Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.

“This visit is a concrete manifestation, not only of the solid partnership of our institutions, but a testament of an enduring personal friendship built upon the solid foundation of our mutual commitment to work for peace and see through the dawn of a new-day not just for the Bangsamoro but for the country as well,” he said in his remarks.

It was a first time for an MILF chairman to set foot in the Philippine military’s main headquarters. It also comes before the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law on January 2019, which seeks to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Other ranking MILF officials also visited Camp Aguinaldo last July to convey their commitment to the peace process.

“The visits done by the AFP and MILF manifest the strong mutual desire of both party towards just and lasting peace for the Bangsamoro Region,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez.

Last October, Galvez went to Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat as both sides sought to end decades of hostilities.

“The reciprocal visit of Al Hajj Murad signifies the strong trust and confidence of the MILF leadership on the Armed Forces and the national government,” he said. /kga